Missouri Criminal Statute of Limitations

Below are the statutes of limitation for criminal cases in Missouri
which set forth the time periods within which a legal proceeding must be
commenced. If the state fails to bring a case within the specified time period,
it loses its right to prosecute that crime forever. In general, violent crimes
have a longer statute of limitations, and with some crimes there is no statute
of limitations. In certain instances, the statute of limitations may be tolled,
or suspended, which grants the state additional time to commence a legal
action.

Arson in the 1st degree classified
as a class B felony, arson in the 2nd degree, or knowingly burning
or exploding: 5 years

Any
offense involving fraud or a breach of fiduciary obligation: within 1 year after discovery, up to a maximum
additional 3 years.

Misconduct in office by a public officer or employee: any
time while the person is still in public office or employment or within two
years thereafter, up to a maximum additional 3 years

Intentional
and willful fraudulent claim of child support arrearage: within 1 year after
discovery of the offense, up to a maximum additional 3 years

Prosecutions for unlawful sexual offenses involving a person
18 years or under must be commenced within 20 years after the victim reaches
the age of 18 (except for forcible rape, attempted forcible rape, forcible
sodomy, kidnapping, or attempted forcible sodomy)

Tolling Provisions

The statute of limitations
does not run:

when the accused is absent from the state, up to
a maximum additional 3 years

when the accused is concealing him or herself either
within or without the state

when a prosecution against the accused for the
offense is pending in the state